A group of Missouri political leaders met today at the state Capitol to work on a plan to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri.
Last week, House Speaker Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, told reporters that members of the Jackson County Legislature would be in Jefferson City to meet Gov. Mike Kehoe, as well as House and Senate leaders, to work on a path forward.
Patterson released the following written statement after today’s meeting:
“I’m grateful for the Jackson County legislators and Kansas City council member for making the trip to Jefferson City to discuss the plan for the Jackson County Sports Complex,” said Patterson. “We had a very productive discussion and we all understand that the citizens of Jackson County need property tax relief before they vote to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead. The House of Representatives will work on legislation next week that addresses property tax relief, beginning with HJR23, which will allow Jackson County to finally have an elected assessor.”
House Joint Resolution 23 proposes to ask Missouri voters to require Jackson County to have an elected assessor.
Jackson County property assessments have skyrocketed over the past couple of years – prompting public and political outcry towards assessor Gail McCann-Beatty.
The legislation is likely one piece of the puzzle. Last week, Patterson said a plan that the city, county, and state agree on is key for voters.
“I do think this is going to be something that has to happen at the county first, and then the state to come in. I would liken it to building a house – the Jackson County piece of it is the foundation and the walls. We need to have that before we start talking about windows and curtains,” he said. “I think Jackson County will need to decide whether they want to support this venture, or will they have an empty parking lot or empty stadiums, which is not free.”
Last year, Jackson County voters struck down a 3/8th-cent sales tax extension. A few months later, the Jackson County Legislature rejected a plan to ask voters to support a quarter-cent sales tax to keep the Chiefs in the Show Me state.
“If we’re going to realistically keep the Kansas City Chiefs, which I want to do, I think we will need to approve some sort of public funding. What number that is can be discussed,” Patterson said last week. “I want the Royals to stay in Missouri, but I think in terms of the public financing from Jackson County, I think that will be just for the Chiefs. I don’t think the Royals even would want to go back to the ballot.”
Gov. Kehoe’s Office provided a statement about today’s meeting:
“Governor Kehoe is committed to working with local stakeholders to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri, just as would be done in the case of other businesses and manufacturers. Retaining these businesses requires multiple stakeholders and discussing a variety of options—this was the purpose of today’s meeting.
The governor will explore the use of every tool at his disposal to protect jobs, economic growth, and investment in Missouri. However, any action taken must be a good return on investment for Missourians,” said Kehoe’s Office.
The lease for both teams runs through January 2031.
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